Mechanical, Morphological and Thermal Properties of Thermoplastic Copolyester Elastomer Composites Filled with Calcite

Abstract

Abstract In this study, the effects of different concentrations of stearic acid-coated calcite (CaCO3) on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of thermoplastic polyester elastomers (COPE or TPE-E) were investigated. Moreover, COPEs, which consist of process wastes that are qualified as postindustrial recycled (PIR), were physically recycled. Recycled polymer composites (100%) were obtained by blending the physically recycled COPE polymer with stearic acid-coated calcite at different concentrations. COPE composites (virgin and PIR) containing different concentrations of calcite (5 to 30 wt%) were prepared by melt compounding. It has been determined that mechanical properties such as flexural strength and modulus increase with calcite concentration, while tensile strength decreases at higher concentrations owing to the stronger interfacial relationships between the polymer matrix and stearic acid-coated calcite. The thermal properties of the composite increased with increasing calcite filler concentration. Morphological studies revealed good dispersion of calcite fillers at lower concentrations in the polymer matrix.